Apparatus for installing and removing shutoff plugs in well pipes



Aug. 8, 1950 G. A. MP 2 517870 APPARATUS FOR IN LLING REMOVING SHUTOFF PLUGS IN WELL; PIPES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 filed Sent; 24, 1948 IN VEN TOR. Glen-.4. Hump BY ATTORNEYS A. GUMP 2,517,870

INSTALLING REMOVING ucs IN WELL PIPES APPARAT SHUT Aug. 8, 1950 2- Sheets-Shee 2 ATTORNEYS Fil'ed Sept. 24, 1948 Fig.5

Patented Aug. 8, 1950 APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING AND REMOV- ING SHUTOFF PLUGS IN WELL PIPES Glen A. Gump, Canton, Ohio Application September 24, 1948,1Serial No. 50,942

It is common practice in the gas and oil drilling industry to place a gate valve upon the top of the inner tubing or producing pipe, after the well has been completed. Frequently, is is desirable to pull or remove the outer, non-producing casing, for use elsewhere, after awell has been completed, but, owing to the fact that this conventional gate valve is larger than the diameter of the casing, it is necessary that this gate valve be first removed from the inner tubing, and the same plugged, before the casing can be withdrawn fromthe ground.

As there is usually a considerable fluid pressure in the tubing, there is great danger of fire or explosion of the escaping gas or oil, as well as a considerable waste thereof, between the time that the gate valve is removed and a plug is placed in the top of the tubing. Furthermore, this is a very difllcult operation because of the fluid pressure in the tubing.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide means for inserting a screw plug into the top of the inner tubing while the gate valve is attached thereto, after which the gate valve-may be removed so that the outer casing may be pulled from the well. 7

Another object is to provide sucha device for sealing ofi theflow of gas or oil from a well without waste of fluid from the well.

A further obiect is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to which may be disconnected and removed after the sealing plug has been inserted in the inner tubing.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this type adapted to install the shut-off plug against the fluid pressure in the tubing Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus with a bleeder valve for controlling the flow of gas from the tubing during the time that the gate valve is opened forinserting the shut-off plug, whereby, after the plug has been inserted in the tubing the small amount of fluid which has been trapped in the gate valve may be released.

The invention further contemplates the general improvements and simplification of the construction and operation of apparatus of the character referred. to.

, The above and other objects, apparent'from the drawings and following description, maybe g 8 Claims. 61. 16615) attained, the above described diificulties overcome, andthe advantages and results obtained by the apparatus, construction, arrangement. and combinations, sub-combinations and parts which com-prise the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principle, is set forth in detail in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

Figure l is a vertical, sectional view of an apparatus embodying the invention, showing the same associated with a gate valve mounted upon the top of the well tubing or producing pipe, at the time when the shut-off plug has been inserted in the top of the tubing;

Fig. 2 a fragmentary, vertical sectional view, showing the needle valve on the stufling box assembly, and the ratchet wrench for rotating the stem upon which the shut-off plug is carried;

Fig. 3 a detached side elevation of the stufling box, hand wheel and operating screw rod assembly;

Fig. 4 an enlarged, transverse, sectional view, showing the key-way for the operating screw-rod, taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 an enlarged, transverse, sectional view, showing the stufling box assembly, taken on the line 5--5, Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 6 a detached, perspective view of the stem showing the shut-01f plug attached thereto by the stem nut;

Fig. 7 a vertical sectional elevation of the top ofthe inner tubing of a well, with the shut-off plug installed therein after removal of the stuffing box assembly and before the gate valve has been removed, showing the pipe'socket wrench for removing the stem nut, and

Fig. 8 a vertical sectional elevation of the top of the tubing with the shut-off plug therein, after the stem has been removed.

Referrin to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout, the upper end of the inner tubing, a producing pipe of a gas or oil well is indicated at ID, anda conventioned male and female'collar II is shownscrewed thereon.

The improved apparatus to which the invention pertains comprises generally the stufing box assembly indicated generally at l2, having the stem I 3 slidably and rotatably located there'- through, the thrust nut assembly, shown gen erally at I4, with operating screw-rod I 5*an'd hand wheel l6 therefor, the assemblies l2 and [4 being connected in spaced relation by the bars l1, and the ratchet wrench I8, interposed between the screw-rod l5 and the stem I3, forrotating the stem to install a shut-ofi plu'g'in" the tubing, as will be later described in detail,"

for holding the packing material under com pression in the cavity. M

A radial passage 26 is provided in the box l9, below the cavity 2|, and the bore 20 is preferably slightly enlarged from this point to the bottom of the box, so that fluid may pass up around. the stem I3 to said radial passage. For the purpose of controlling the escape of fluid, when the gate cavity 32 is formed in the upper side of the block 30, and houses the lower enlarged portion 33 of the bushing nut 34, which is threaded upon the screw=rod I5, which is slidabl located through the bore 35 and provided with a longitudinal groove or key-way 36, receiving the key 31 carried by the block 30. I

A brass thrust washer 38 is located within the cavity 32, upon the top of the enlarged portion 33 of the bushing nut, and is held in position by means of the cap plate 39 and cap screws 48, which connect said cap plate to the block 30.

The hub 4| of the hand wheel It is keyed, or otherwise fixed, upon the bushing nut 34, as indicated at 42, and a jamb nut 43 is screwed upon the externally threaded upper end of the bushing nut, in contact with the hub of the hand wheel, to retain the hand wheel in position upon the bushing nut.

In usual practice, after a well has been brought in or completed, a conventional gate valve, as indicated generally at 44 in Fig. l, is connected to the male and female collar II, at the top of the inner tubing, and may be normally closed.

When it is desired to seal ofi the well, by the use of the apparatus to which the instant invention pertains, a shut-off plug, indicated generally at-45, is attached to the lower end of the stem I3. This shut-off plug is externally threaded at 46 to fit the internal threads at the upper end of the male and female collar II, and, has a hexagonal or squared socket 47,.adapted to snugly receive the hexagonal, or squared, head 48 upon the lower end of the stem I3, the upper open end of said socket being enlarged and internally threaded as indicated at 49, to receive the'stem nut 50, having a hexagonal head 5|. As best shown in Figs. 1 and '7 this stem nut fitsagainst the top of the hexagonal head 48 of the stem, securing the shut-oil plug 45 upon the'lower end of the stem.

With the stem I3 and operating sc'rew-rod-IS in raised position, the depending, externally threaded nipple 52, of the stuihng box assembly, is screwed into the upper end of the gate valve 44, which valve, as well as the needle valve 28, should at this time be in closed position; 1

The socket 53, of the ratchet wrench I8, is then engaged'with the hexagonal or squared upper end 54 of the stem I3, and the hand wheel I6 is then operated to movethe operating screw-rod I5down 4 so that the conical lower end 55 thereof engages in the central socket 56 in the top of the ratchet wrench.

The gate valve 44 is thenopened by means of the usual hand wheel 51 thereon, and the hand wheel I 6 is operated to lower the screw rod I5 and stem I3, moving the shut-off plug 45 down through the gate valve and into contact with the inturned threads at the top of the male and female collar II, the hand wheel I6 being turned counter-clockwise during this operation.

As soon asthe shut-off plug enters the threads of the collar I I the ratchet wrench I8 is operated to rotate the stem in clockwise direction, while the counter-clockwise rotation of the hand wheel I5 is continued, so as to screw the shut-off plug into the upper end of the collar II, as shown in Fig. 1. a

When the shut-01f plug is tightly screwed into the collar II, sealing off the floor of gas or oil from thetubing II], the needle valve 28 is opened to release the gas trapped in the gate valve.

The stufling box assembl is then unscrewed from the top of the gate valve, and lifted off of the stem I3, leaving the stem in position attached to the shut-oif plug, and a socket wrench 58 is slipped over the stem I3, and through the gate valve, and into engagement with thehead 5| of the stem nut 50, as shown in Fig. 7, and the stem nut is unscrewed so that the stem may be withdrawn from the shut-off plug, and the gate valve is then unscrewed from the collar I I, leaving the shut-off plug screwed into the top of the collar I I, sealing off the tube 1 U, as shown in Fig. 8.

In this condition there is no obstruction around the exterior of the inner tubing or pipe I I which would interfere with the pulling of the outer casing or pipe vC of the well, which may then be withdrawn from the well.

If it is desired to again replace the gate valve upon the inner tubing, it may be screwed upon the collar II, the stuffing box assembly may be again screwed onto the gate valve, and the shut- .ofi plug removed by operating the parts of. the apparatus in the reverse to, the operationabove described.

From the above description, and the accompanying drawings, it will be. apparent that .a simple, efiicient and safedevice is provided for easily and readily sealing off the inner tubingof a gas or oil Well so that the outer casing-or pipe may be withdrawn from the well whendesirable.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained. the principle of my invention and described one embodiment, thereof, but I desireto have it understood thatwithin the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise thanas specifically illustrated and described, the invention residing in the apparatus forinstalling a shut-01f plug in the inner well tubing, to seal off the how of gas oroil therefrom, so that the usual gate valve may be removed to, permit the outer casing or pipe to be easily Withdrawn from the well.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for installing a shut-oil plugjfor sealing off the flow of fluid from a well tubing having an internally and externally. threaded upper end and a gate valve mounted upon' the externally threaded portion thereof, said apparatus comprising a stuffing box assembly for detachable connection to the gate valve, 2. fluid pressure release valve in the stuffing box assembly, a thrust nut assembly connected in spaced relation to the stuffing box assembly, a stem slid- 'ably androtatably located 'throughth'e s'tufiin g box assembly, means for detachably connecting the shut-oil plug to the lower end of the stem, and means operatively connected to the thrust nut, assembly for moving the stem longitudinally through the stufilng box assembly and for rotating the stem to screw the shut-off plug into the internal threads of the well tubing.

2. Apparatus for installing a shut-off plug for sealing off the flow of fluid from a well tubing having .an internally and externally threaded upper end and a gate valve mounted upon the externally threaded portion thereof, said apparatus comprising a stufilng box assembly for detachable connection to the gate valve, a fluid pressure release valve in the stuffing box assembly, a thrust nut assembly connected in spaced relation to the stuifing box assembly, a stem slidably and rotatably located through the stuffing box assembly, a stem nut for detachably connecting the shut-off plug to the lower end of the stem, and means operatively connected to the thrust nut assembly for moving the stem longitudinally through the stuffing box assembly and for rotating the stem to screw the shut-off plug into the internal threads of the well tubing.

3. Apparatus for installing a shut-01f plug for sealing off the flow of fluid from a well tubing having an internally and externally threaded upper end and a gate valve mounted upon the externally threaded portion thereof, said apparatus comprising a stuifing box assembly for detachable connection to the gate valve, a fluid pressure release valve in the stuffing box assembly, athrust nut assembly connected in spaced relation to the stufiing box assembly, a stem slidably and rotatably located through the'stuffing box assembly, means for detachably connecting the shut-off plug to the lower end of the stem, and screw means operatively connected to the thrust nut assembly for moving the stem longi tudinally through the stuffing box assembly and for rotating the stem to screw the shut-off plug into the internal threads of the well tubing.

4. Apparatus for installing a shut-off plug for sealing off the flow of fluid from a well tubing having an internally and externally threaded upper end and a gate valve mounted upon the externally threaded portion thereof, said apparatus comprising a stufling box assembly for detachable connection to the gate valve, a fluid pressure release valve in the stuffing box assembly, a thrust nut assembly connected in spaced relation to the stuffing box assembly, a stem slidably and rotatably located through the stulT- ing box assembly, a stem nut for detachably connecting the shut-off plug to the lower end of the stem, and screw means operatively connected to the thrust nut assembly for moving the stem longitudinally through the stuffing box assembly and for rotating the stem to screw the shut-off plug into the internal threads of the well tubing.

5. Apparatus for installing a shut-01f plug for sealing ofi the flow of fluid from a well tubing having an internally and externally threaded upper end and a gate valve mounted upon the externally threaded portion thereof, said apparatus comprising a stufilng box assembly for detachable connection to the gate valve, a thrust nut assembly connected in spaced relation to the stuffing box assembly, a stem slidably and rotatably located through the stufilng box assembly, means for detachably connecting the shut-oil plug to the lower end of the stem, and a screw rod and ratchet wrench operatively connected to the thrust nut assembly for moving the stem longitudinally through the stufilng box assembly and for rotating the stem to screw the shut-oil plug .into the internal threads of the well tubing.

6. Apparatus for installing a shut-off plug for sealing 011 the flow of fluid from a well tubing having an internally and externally threaded upper end and a gate valve mounted upon the externally threaded portion thereof, said apparatus comprising 'a stulfing box assembly for detachable connection to the gate valve, a thrust nut assembly connected in spaced relation to the stuffing box assembly, a stem slidably and rotatably located through the stufiing box assembly, means for detachably connecting the shut-off plug to the lower end of the stem, a screw rod and hand wheel operatively connected to the thrust nut assembly for moving the stem longitudinally through the stufllng box assembly and means interposed between the screw rod and the stem for rotating the stem to screw the shut off plug into the inturned threads of the well tubing.

7. Apparatus for installing a shut-off plug for sealing ofi the flow of fluid from a well tubing having an internally and externally threaded upper end and a gate valve mounted upon the externally threaded portion thereof, said apparatus comprising a stuifing box assembly for detachable connection to the gate valve, a thrust nut assembly connected in spaced relation to the stuffing box assembly, a stem slidably and rotatably located through the stuffing box assembly, means for detachably connecting the shut-ofi plug to the lower end of the stem, a screw rod and hand wheel operatively connected to the thrust nut assembly for moving the stem longitudinally through the stumng box assembly and a ratchet wrench interposed between the screw rod and the stem for rotating the stem to screw the shut-off plug into the inturned threads of the well tubing.

8. Apparatus for installing a shut-oil plug for sealing off the flow of fluid from a well tubing having an internally and externally threaded upper end and a gate valve mounted upon the externally threaded portion thereof, said apparatus comprising a stufiing box assembly for detachable connection to the gate valve, a fluid pressure release valve in the stuffing box assembly, a thrust nut assembly connected in spaced relation to the stuffing box assembly, a stem slidably and rotatably located through the stufi'ing box assembly, means for detachably connecting the shut-ofi plug to the lower end of the stem, a screw rod and hand wheel operatively connected to the thrust nut assembly for moving the stem longitudinally through the stufilng box assembly and means interposed between the screw rod and the stem for rotating the stem to screw the shutoff plug into the inturned threads of the well tubing.

GLEN A. GUMP.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,859,793 Rasmussen May 24, 1932 1,897,297 Brown Feb. 14, 1933 1,908,818 Brown May 16, 1933 2,336,977 Bean et al Dec. 14, 1943 2,366,547 Oak Jan. 2, 1945 

